Should Australia Become a Republic?

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Issue

This is issue has recently come back into the spotlight due to an interview with the current Australian of the year, Simon McKeon. In the interview, he urged Australian’s to bring up the republican debate suggesting that now is the time to become a republic. This has sparked many people coming forward and debating the issue.

Introduction

Australia is currently a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the Queen is our current head of state. We also have a written constitution, which limits the Queen and other authorities power. The governor general, who is appointed on the advice of the prime minister, represents the Queen.

In 1931, Britain passed the Statue of Westminster which gave independence to the Australian parliament. Australia, however, did not ratify this law until 1942. As this law only applied the federal parliament, Britain passed the Australia Act, which gave independence to the states as well. The High Court of Australia is now the final court in deciding constitutional matters and the final court of appeal. Due to these laws, Australia has become an independent nation. However, it is believed that we are not truly independent due to our link with the British crown.

Some Australians believe that the time is right, for Australia to become a republic. There are many arguments, both for and against, regarding this issue.

Arguments for a Republic

The main for a republic is that for Australia to be truly independent, it is essential to sever the ties with the British monarch. Currently the only person who can become the official head of state is the eldest male heir to the British throne. A republic would allow for equality in this respect, as any Australian would be eligible for the positi...

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...ferendum_Reports_Statistics/1999.htm. Last accessed 2nd June 2011.

Liddelow, L. (2011). Republicans are Fiercely Independent . Available: http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/republic/republicans-are-fiercely-democratic-a-model-suggestion/. Last accessed 18th June 2011.

no author. (2008). Poll Shows Republican Majority. Available: http://www.republic.org.au/blog/poll-shows-republican-majority. Last accessed 19th June 2010.

right, J. (2010). Australia Not Ready For A Republic. Available: http://www.smh.com.au/national/not-ready-for-a-republic-well-we-are-amused-20100828-13wv7.html. Last accessed 19th June 2010.

no author. (2011). New Australian of the Year Wants to Debate an Australian Republic. Available: http://www.republic.org.au/story/new-australian-year-wants-australians-debate-australian-republic-courier-mail-26111. Last accessed 20th June 2011.

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